Methods and apparatus for data transfer in a packet-switched data network

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for and methods of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched data network to select a first channel for transferring a data packet to a destination packet data protocol address of a correspondent node provided service in the first network are disclosed. The gateway node is configured to select the first channel from a plurality of channels configured to transfer data packets to the destination packet data protocol address of the correspondent node, wherein the data packet is sent from a mobile node of a second packet-switched data network external to the first network, and wherein the mobile node has been in a communication session with the correspondent node while provided service in a third packet-switched data network different to the second network.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/089,543, entitled “Methods and Apparatus for Data Transfer in aPacket-Switched Data Network,” filed Mar. 23, 2005, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to PCT International Application NumberPCT/GB03/004160, filed on Sep. 24, 2003 and published in the Englishlanguage, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to United KingdomPatent Application Number 0222161.2 filed on Sep. 24, 2002 and UnitedKingdom Patent Application Number 0230335.2 filed on Dec. 31, 2002. Thedisclosures of the above-described filed applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for and methods oftransferring data in a packet-switched network.

BACKGROUND

Whereas conventional 2G mobile networks, such as those conforming to theGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards, have providedcircuit-switched voice and data services to user's mobile stations(MSs), there is great momentum in the mobile telecommunications industryto deploy packet-switched mobile networks. Packet-switched mobilenetworks have significant advantages in terms of network and radioresource efficiency and also enable the provision of more advanced userservices. With the convergence of fixed and mobile telecommunicationsnetworks, the Internet Protocol (IP), widespread in fixed networks, isthe natural choice as the packet routing mechanism for mobile packetnetworks. Currently IP version 4 (IPv4) is in widespread use in thefixed network domain. However, it is expected gradually to migrate to IPversion 6 (IPv6) which offers well-recognised benefits over IPv4,notably in terms of greatly increased address space, more efficientrouting, greater scalability, improved security, Quality of Service(QoS) integration, support for multicasting and other features.

Particular examples of mobile packet-switched services currently beingdeployed include the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) as implementedin both 2G GSM networks and in 3G Universal Mobile TelecommunicationsSystem (UMTS) networks (hereinafter referred to as GPRS networks). It isalso expected that non-GPRS wireless access technologies, such aswireless Local Area Network (wLAN), will provide a flexible andcost-effective complement to GPRS for local broadband service access insome areas such as hotspots (conference centres, airports, exhibitioncentres, etc). Consequently mobile network operators will want tosupport roaming of mobile stations between GPRS and non-GPRS networks orsubnetworks.

While GPRS networks, having been designed from the start as mobilenetworks, have built-in mobility management (for MSs within the GPRSnetwork) and roaming functionality (for MSs roaming between GPRSnetworks), work has also taken place in the Internet Engineering TaskForce (IETF) to support mobility of IP user terminals in general. Tothis end, the IETF have developed the Mobile IP (MIP) protocols. MIP isdesigned to support mobility when mobile stations (or mobile nodes (MNs)in MIP terminology) move between IP networks with different subnetprefixes (macro-mobility). For example, MIP may be used to supportmobility between a GPRS network and a non-GPRS network such as a wLANnetwork. Mobile IP is not expected to be used for mobility managementwithin a network or subnetwork (micro-mobility) which is typicallymanaged by access technology specific layer 2 mechanisms such as WCDMAsofter/soft handover.

There are two versions of MIP to correspond to the two versions of IP.MIP version 4 (MIPv4) is designed to provide IP address mobility for IPversion 4 (IPv4) addresses, whereas the newer MIP version 6 (MIPv6) MIPis designed to provide IP address mobility for IP version 6 (IPv6)addresses. MIPv4 is described in the IETF Request For Comment (RFC) 2002available at the IETF website on the World Wide Web. Internet draftMIPv6 is described in the IETF Internet draft “Mobility Support in IPv6”available at the IETF website on the World Wide Web.

MIPv4 mobility management is illustrated in FIG. 1. A MN 40 is allocateda home IP address (HAddr) in its Home Network (HN) 42. Routingprocedures in the HN ensure that wherever the MN is within the HN, an IPpacket sent from a Correspondent Node (CN) 46 will reach the MN.However, when the MN roams to a foreign network (FN) 44, IP packetsaddressed to its HAddr will need to be routed to its new location in theFN. In MIPv4, a router 48 in the HN known as the Home Agent (HA) is usedto act as a packet forwarding service on behalf of the MN when it isaway from home. In a first working mode of MIPv4 (known as FA-CoA mode),when arriving in the FN, the MN is allocated a Care of Address (CoA) bya router 50 in the FN known as the Foreign Agent (FA). Due to perceivedlimitations of IPv4 address space, it is envisaged that more than one MNmay share the same CoA. After allocation of the CoA, the FA 50 sends abinding update to the HA to register the CoA. Thereafter, when the CNsends a packet to the HAddr of the MN in its HN (case 1), the packet isintercepted by the HA and tunnelled to the FA in the FN via tunnel 52 onthe basis of the CoA.

Tunnelling involves encapsulating a first data packet (with a header anda payload) as the payload of a second data packet having a new headerindicating, as its source and destination addresses, the start and endpoints of the tunnel, and transferring the second data packet as normalto the tunnel endpoint where it is decapsulated to obtain the firstpacket. After decapsulation, the tunnel end point, the FA, routes theoriginal packet to the MN using routing procedures in the FN. In MIP,tunnelling involves IP in IP encapsulation using the IETF Request ForComment (RFC) 2003. Thus in MIPv4, an IPv4 packet is tunnelled byencapsulating it within another IPv4 packet.

As an optional procedure in MIPv4, the MN may then send a binding updateto the CN to register its CoA. Thereafter, the CN may address packetsdirectly to the MN at its current CoA, rather than indirectly via itsHAddr (case 2), and these packets are received by the FA in the FN androuted to the MN using routing procedures in the FN. This is known asroute optimisation since it avoids potentially inefficient triangularrouting via the HA which in general will not be on an efficient routingpath between the CN and the FA.

In a second optional working mode of MIPv4 (known as CoCoA mode) thereis no sharing of CoAs by MNs away from their home network and no FA isused. The MN is allocated a unique CoA, known as a co-located CoA(CoCoA), using standard dynamic IP address allocation procedures—egusing Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP). In this working mode, the MNmust itself send a binding update to its HA to register its newlyallocated CoCoA. Thereafter, packets sent by a CN and addressed to theMN at its HAddr are tunnelled from the HA directly to the MN. As withFA-CoA mode, as an optional procedure in CoCoA mode, the MN may alsosend a binding update to a CN to register its CoCoA. Thereafter, packetsmay be sent by the CN directly to the MN at its CoCoA.

MIPv6 mobility management is illustrated in FIG. 2. Two notabledifferences of MIPv6 over MIPv4 are as follows. Firstly, due to thegreatly increased address space in IPv6, CoAs allocated to a MN in a FNare never shared (ie they correspond to the optional CoCoA in MIPv4).Secondly, as a result, there is no need to deploy a FA in the FN.Referring to FIG. 2, with MIPv6, when a MN 40 moves from its HN 42 to aFN 44, it is allocated a unique CoA and sends a binding update to its HA48 in its HN to register the CoA. Packets from a CN 46 addressed to theHAddr are intercepted by the HA 48 (case 1) and tunnelled to the CoA viatunnel 54. This tunnelling may be achieved using IPv6 Generic PacketTunnelling Mechanism described in IETF RFC 2473. However, in MIPv6,route optimisation is not an option but a fundamental part of theprotocol and, in general, the MN should send a binding update to the CNso that it may address packets directly to the MN at its CoA (case 2).When an MN receives a packet tunnelled from a CN via the MN's HA, it maytake this as an indication that the CN has no binding for the MN andinitiate a CN binding update. Note that in MIPv6 the CN binding updatemust use the new CoA of the MN as the source address in the IPv6 header(see Clause 11.6.2 of the MIPv6 IETF Internet draft).

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) responsible for the GPRSstandards has recognised that MIP may need to be supported in GPRSnetworks. Technical Specification 23.060 Clause 5.7 states that “Tosupport the optional Mobile IP services, see 3G TS 23.121, efficientlyin the packet domain, Foreign Agent (FA) functionality needs to beprovided in the GGSN. The interface between the GGSN and FA, includingthe mapping between the care of IP address and the GTP tunnel in thePLMN is assumed not to be standardized as the GGSN and FA are consideredto be one integrated node.” Furthermore, 3G TS 23.121 (available fromthe 3GPP website on the World Wide Web) states that “. . . it isimportant to offer Mobile IP also to UMTS and GPRS users to allow themto roam to and from other access technologies while keeping ongoing datasessions, e.g. TCP or UDP” and that “as IP addresses in IPv4 are scarce,it has to be assumed that Mobile IPv4 preferably will be used with theForeign Agent (FA) care-of addresses. Compared to using co-locatedcare-of addresses, FA care-of addresses does not only conserve IPaddresses, it is also more efficient over the radio interface.”

However, there may be circumstances in which the above assumptions arefalse. Firstly, a GPRS network operator may want to use CoCoAs in MIPv4instead of FA CoAs. For instance, IPv4 addresses may not be scarcewithin a particular GPRS network and CoCoAs may be preferred to improvescalability and routing efficiency. Secondly, there may be circumstancesin which the GPRS network operator would not want to integrate FAfunctionality in the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) which is thegateway connecting the GPRS network to external packet-switchednetworks. For instance, the GGSN may be heavily loaded and separatingthe GGSN and FA functionality would improve load balancing. Furthermore,it may be considered beneficial to locate the FA in nodes which arecloser to the edges of the GPRS network, such as access nodes, forimproved scalability. Thirdly, the 3GPP has itself recently mandatedthat IPv6 must be supported in UMTS R5 IP Multimedia System (IMS) and IPradio access networks in general. Thus, it is clear that GPRS networkswill need to support MIPv6 as well as MIPv4 in future and, as describedabove, MIPv6 has no FA and uses CoAs which are unique to the MN (iealways “co-located”).

The present inventors have realised that a problem arises in GPRSnetworks implemented according to the present service descriptions(Release 1999) in each of the three circumstances listed above. Oneparticular feature of GPRS networks, which conform to Release 1999 ofthe GPRS Service Description, is support for what are known as packetdata protocol (PDP) contexts. Specifying different PDP contexts areuseful for a variety of reasons. In particular, PDP contexts allowdiffering QoS levels and other parameters to be specified for traffic toand from a single PDP address of a MS. This allows efficient transfer ofa variety of data traffic, such as non real-time traffic (egintermittent and bursty data transfers, occasional transfers of largevolumes of data) and real-time traffic (eg voice, video). For example, aMS in a GPRS network, having a PDP address, such as an IPv4 or IPv6address, may communicate with a plurality of other telecommunicationsdevices in external packet-switched networks using different PDPcontexts with differing QoS parameters for each one. It is generally theduty of the MS to create and modify PDP contexts as required.

Incoming data packets from an external network for downlink to a MS arereceived in the GPRS network by the GGSN. If the PDP address of the MShas multiple PDP contexts established, it is essential that the GGSN beable to determine the appropriate PDP context for each packet, so thatit may be transferred appropriately to the MS. This is achieved by usingTraffic Flow Templates (TFTs) associated with PDP contexts. The TFTs maycontain packet filtering information used by the GGSN to determine theappropriate PDP context for downlink data packets. According to current3GPP standards, one specified item of information for use in packetfiltering is the source address of the incoming data packet—eg the IPaddress of the source node as specified in the IP packet header. When anincoming data packet arrives at the GGSN, its source address is checkedagainst existing TFTs associated with the PDP address of the MS. If amatch is found, the packet is transferred to the MS at its PDP addressaccording to the appropriate PDP context. If, however, no match isfound, the packet may be dropped by the GGSN. Here is where the problemarises.

Let us suppose that the telecommunications device in communication withthe MS is itself a mobile device and is provided macro-mobility usingeither MIPv4 or MIPv6. Let us also suppose that it has just moved to anew FN and has been allocated a new CoA (or possibly CoCoA) for use inthat FN. Let us now call the MS in the GPRS network a CN and thetelecommunications device in the external network a MN for consistency.The CN may already have a PDP context established for the communicationsession with the MN using the MN's HAddr as a source address in the TFTpacket filtering information. However, after moving to the new FN, anydata packets now sent from the MN to the CN will have the new CoA (orCoCoA) as their source address in the IPv4 or IPv6 header. Thus, anincoming data packet arriving at the GGSN in the GPRS network will notbe recognised by the GGSN using the TFT identifying the MN's HAddr asthe source address and may be dropped.

This problem applies not only to user data packets sent by the MN to theCN, but also to signalling data packets such as a correspondent bindingupdate packet that the MN's HA may (MIPv4) or MN should (MIPv6) send tothe CN. The MN correspondent binding update will also use the newCoA/CoCoA as the source address (see Clause 11.6.2 of the MIPv6 IETFInternet draft) and this will not be recognised by the GGSN. Thus, theCN in the GPRS network is caught in a circular trap in that it cannotreceive a correspondent binding update from the MN, because it has notreceived the MN's new CoA/CoCoA. But it cannot receive the MN's newCoA/CoCoA, because it has not received a correspondent bindingupdate—“Catch 22”.

The present invention provides a solution to the above problem.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to enabling a gateway node of a firstpacket-switched data network to select a first channel for transferringa data packet to a destination packet data protocol address of acorrespondent node provided service in the first network, the gatewaynode being arranged to select the first channel from a plurality ofchannels each being for transferring data packets to the destinationpacket data protocol address of the correspondent node, the data packethaving been sent from a mobile node of a second packet-switched datanetwork external to the first network, the mobile node having been in acommunication session with the correspondent node while provided servicein a third packet-switched data network different to the second network.

More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates toapparatus for and methods of enabling a General Packet Radio ServiceGateway Support Node (GGSN) of a 2G or 3G General Packet Radio Service(GPRS) network to select an appropriate Packet Data Protocol (PDP)Context for transferring a data packet, sent by a Mobile Node (MN) in anexternal IP network, to a Correspondent Node (CN) in the GPRS network,where macro-mobility of the MN is supported using the Mobile InternetProtocol, the MN is away from its Home Network (HN), and where the datapacket uses the Care Of Address (CoA, CoCoA) of the MN as its sourceaddress.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched datanetwork to select a first channel for transferring a data packet to adestination packet data protocol address of a correspondent nodeprovided service in the first network, the gateway node being arrangedto select the first channel from a plurality of channels each being fortransferring data packets to the destination packet data protocoladdress of the correspondent node, the data packet having been sent froma mobile node of a second packet-switched data network external to thefirst network, the mobile node having been in a communication sessionwith the correspondent node while provided service in a thirdpacket-switched data network different to the second network, the methodcomprising:

-   -   a) the mobile node associating, with the data packet, a first        packet data protocol address which it used in the communication        session with the correspondent node;    -   b) the gateway node selecting the first channel by matching the        first packet data protocol address associated with the data        packet received by the gateway node to a first data packet        filter associated with the first channel.

Further aspects of the present invention include a mobile node and agateway node arranged in accordance with the method of the first aspectdescribed above.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda method of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched datanetwork to select a first channel for transferring a data packet to adestination packet data protocol address of a correspondent nodeprovided service in the first network, the gateway node being arrangedto select the first channel from a plurality of channels each being fortransferring data packets to the destination packet data protocoladdress of the correspondent node, the data packet having been sent froma mobile node of a second packet-switched data network external to thefirst network, the mobile node having been in a communication sessionwith the correspondent node while provided service in a thirdpacket-switched data network different to the second network, whereinmobility of the mobile node between networks or subnetworks is supportedusing the Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) standards, the mobile nodehaving a home packet data protocol address (HAddr) in the third network,the mobile node having moved to the second network and having beenprovided with a current packet data protocol address (CoA, CoCoA) in thesecond network, the method comprising:

-   -   a) the mobile node sending a MIP correspondent binding update        packet addressed to the correspondent node, the MIP        correspondent binding update packet having the home packet data        protocol address of the mobile node associated with it;    -   b) the gateway node receiving the correspondent binding update        packet and transferring it to the correspondent node using a        second channel having no associated data packet filters;    -   c) the correspondent node matching the home packet data protocol        address of the mobile node associated with the correspondent        binding update packet to the communication session with the        mobile node; and    -   d) in response to the matching, the correspondent node arranging        for the current packet data protocol address of the mobile node        to be included in the first data packet filter.

Further aspects of the present invention include a correspondent nodearranged in accordance with the method of the second aspect describedabove.

Further aspects of the present invention are set out in the accompanyingclaims.

There now follows, by way of example only, a detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing mobility management as providedin MIPv4;

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing mobility management as providedin MIPv6;

FIG. 3 is a network architectural diagram showing a GPRS network and awLAN network connected via an external packet-switched network cloud;and

FIGS. 4A and 4B are block diagrams showing the modified structure ofIPv6 data packets sent by a MN according to first and second embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing the modified procedure followed by aGGSN of a GPRS network according to the first and second embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 6 is a message flow diagram, showing a PDP context modificationprocedure in a GPRS network enabling a GGSN to match packets from MNsaway from home for downlink to a CN to the appropriate tunnel of the PDPcontext, according to the second, third and fifth embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing the modified procedure followed by aGGSN of a GPRS network according to the second, third and fifthembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are block diagrams showing the modified structure ofIPv6 data packets sent by the MN according to fourth and fifthembodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing the modified procedure followed by aGGSN of a GPRS network according to the fourth and fifth embodiments ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 3 shows a network architecture in which both a GPRS network 10 anda wLAN network 20 are both connected with one or more external packetnetworks in external packet network cloud 30.

GPRS network 10 is connected to the external packet networks via one ormore Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GGSNs) (although here only one GGSN 12is illustrated) which communicate with one or more Serving GPRS SupportNodes (SGSNs) (although here only one SGSN 14 is illustrated) via aninternal IP-based packet-switched backbone network. SGSN 14 keeps trackof the location of individual Mobile Stations (MSs) attached to the GPRSservice and performs security functions and access control. SGSN 14 isitself connected to one or more Radio Access Networks (RANs) 16 (eitherthe Base Station Subsystem (BSS) in the 2G GSM network or UMTSTerrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) in the 3G UMTS network). TheRNS's control communication over the air with one or more MSs 18.

Other major components of GPRS network 10, such as the Home LocationRegister (HLR) which stores GSM and UMTS subscription data and theMobile Switching Centre/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) whichhandles circuit-switched services and also keeps track of the locationof individual Mobile Stations (MSs), are omitted for clarity. The readeris referred to the GPRS Service Description (release 1999) TechnicalSpecification, referred to as 3G TS 23.060 v3.12.0 (2002-06) andavailable from the 3GPP website on the World Wide Web, which provides adetailed service description for 2G (GPRS/GSM) and 3G (GPRS/UMTS) mobilepacket networks. The functionality of GPRS networks is also generallywell-known, although further aspects will be described in detail below.

WLAN network 20 is connected to the external packet networks via anAccess Controller (AC) 22 which controls one or more Access Points 24which communicate over the air with one or more MSs 26. Thefunctionality of wLAN networks is generally well-known and will not bedescribed in detail further herein.

In order to access GPRS packet-switched services, a MS first performs aGPRS attach procedure with the SGSN (either a 2G GSM GPRS attach or a 3GUMTS GPRS attach). Authentication and location updating procedures areperformed, and, if successful, the GPRS attach procedure makes the MSavailable for paging via the SGSN and notification of incoming packetdata. However, to actually send and receive packet data, the MS musthave an allocated Packet Data Protocol (PDP) address (eg an IP address)and must activate at least one PDP context for use with that PDPaddress. Each PDP address for a MS may have one or more PDP contextsassociated with it and data defining the PDP contexts is stored in theMS, the SGSN, and the GGSN. The process of PDP context activation makesthe MS known not only to the SGSN, but also to the corresponding GGSNand inter-working with external data networks can commence.

PDP contexts are used to maintain state such as routing information andQuality of Service (QoS) requirements in nodes of the GPRS network. Inparticular, multiple PDP contexts allow one or more levels of QoS to bespecified for a single PDP address of a MS to allow efficient transferof a variety of data traffic, such as non real-time traffic (egintermittent and bursty data transfers, occasional transfers of largevolumes of data) and real-time traffic (eg voice, video). Thus anapplication running on a MS with a single PDP address may utilize one ormore levels of QoS according to its needs by using one or more PDPcontexts. A PDP context may be in one of two states—active or inactive.When inactive, a PDP context contains no routing or mapping informationto process packets related to the PDP address. No data can betransferred. When active, the PDP context for the PDP address isactivated in the MS, SGSN and GGSN. The PDP context contains mapping androuting information for transferring PDP packets for that particular PDPaddress between the MS and the GGSN.

User data is transferred between external networks and the MS usingtunnelling. Between the SGSN and the MS, tunnelling procedures are usedwhich differ between 2G GSM and 3G UMTS networks. However, between theGGSN and the SGSN, packets are tunnelled using a common encapsulationprocedure according to the GPRS Tunnelling Protocol (GTP). The packetdomain PLMN backbone network encapsulates a data packet with a GTPheader, and inserts this GTP packet in a UDP packet that is againinserted in an IP packet. The IP and GTP packet headers contain the GSNaddresses and tunnel endpoint identifier necessary to uniquely address aPDP context. Where there are multiple PDP contexts for a single PDPaddress of a MS, there must be a corresponding number of GTP tunnelsestablished between the GGSN and the SGSN for packet data transfer. Notethe GTP tunnels used in GPRS networks are not to be confused with MIPtunnels.

When multiple PDP contexts exist for a PDP address, the GGSN routesdownlink packets to the different GTP tunnels based on what are calledTraffic Flow Templates (TFTs) assigned to the PDP contexts. Each PDPcontext may be associated with a TFT. However, as a strict rule, at mostone PDP context associated with the same PDP address may exist at anytime with no TFT assigned to it. Thus, with n multiple PDP contextsthere will always be either n TFTs or (n−1) TFTs each corresponding toindividual ones of the n PDP contexts. Where there is an 1 to 1 mappingbetween TFTs and the GTP tunnels corresponding to each PDP context,selection of the GTP tunnel is straight forward on the basis of TFT.Where there is an (n−1) to n mapping, selection is also straightforward, but may involve a simple process of elimination if no match canbe found for a TFT.

TFTs are also prioritised using evaluation precedence indices. Uponreception of a data packet, the GGSN evaluates for a match, first thepacket filter amongst all TFTs that has the smallest evaluationprecedence index and, in case no match is found, proceeds with theevaluation of packet filters in increasing order of their evaluationprecedence index. This procedure is executed until a match is found, inwhich case the data packet is tunnelled to the SGSN via the GTP tunnelthat is associated with the PDP context corresponding to the matchingTFT packet filter. According to 3G TS 23.060 Clause 9.3, if no match isfound, the data packet is tunnelled via the PDP context that does nothave a TFT assigned to it, but if all PDP contexts have a TFT assigned,the GGSN must silently discard the data packet.

The TFTs contain attributes relating to the headers of downlink datapackets which are used to filter the data packets and thus route or mapthem to the GTP tunnel for the correct PDP context. The attributes aredefined in terms of IP header fields. According to 3G TS 23.060 Clause15.3.2, the data packet header attributes contained in TFTs arespecified in terms of both IPv4 and IPv6 header fields. Each TFTconsists of between 1 and 8 packet filters, each identified by a uniquepacket filter identifier. A packet filter also has an evaluationprecedence index that is unique within all TFTs associated with the PDPcontexts that share the same PDP address. According to 3G TS 23.060Clause 15.3.2, each valid packet filter contains a unique identifierwithin a given TFT, an evaluation precedence index that is unique withinall TFTs for one PDP address, and at least one of the following IPv4 orIPv6 packet header attributes:

-   -   Source Address and Subnet Mask.    -   Protocol Number (IPv4) or Next Header (IPv6).    -   Destination Port Range.    -   Source Port Range.    -   IPSec Security Parameter Index (SPI).    -   Type of Service (TOS) (IPv4) or Traffic class (IPv6) and Mask.    -   Flow Label (IPv6).

However, not all of these may be used in combination without resultingin inconsistency. In practice, the Source Address and Subnet Mask willmost commonly be used since in common use cases, a MS will establish adifferent PDP context for its (or one of its) PDP addresses for eachdifferent correspondent node PDP address. Note that the attribute listdoes not contain the Destination Address attribute, only DestinationPort Range. This is because TFT packet filters are not used to mappackets to one of a plurality of destination addresses, but to the GTPtunnel corresponding to one of a plurality of PDP contexts establishedfor a single destination address at a single MS.

However, as discussed above, the Source Address attribute may not besufficient for the GGSN to map incoming packets for downlink to the MSunder certain circumstances. According to the present invention, wherean MS is engaged in a communication session with a MIPv4 or MIPv6enabled MN (we shall now call the GPRS MS a CN), the procedure followedby the MN, the GGSN, and in some embodiments the CN is modified.

First Embodiment

According to a first embodiment of the present invention, where the MNis IPv6 capable, the MN is modified to include its HAddr in a Hop-by-HopOptions extension header of the IPv6 packet for all data packets itsends to the CN, whenever it is away from home. This applies tocorrespondent binding updates as well as user data packets. FIG. 4Ashows the structure of the data packet. The Basic IPv6 header 100 comesfirst. The existence of the IPv6 Hop-by-Hop Options extension header 102is indicated, according to standard IPv6 (RFC 2460), by placing a zeroin the IPv6 Next Header field of the Basic IPv6 header 100. TheHop-by-Hop Options extension header 102 then immediately follows theBasic IPv6 header 100. Finally, the payload 104—ie the upper layerheader such as TCP or UDP and the data—follows the Hop-by-Hop Optionsextension header 102. FIG. 6B shows the structure of the Hop-by-HopOptions extension header 102. The Next Header and Hdr Ext Len fields ofthe Hop-by-Hop Options extension header 102 are omitted for clarity. TheHAddr of the MN is included in a Type-Length-Value (TLV) encoded optionin the Hop-by-Hop Options extension header 102. Thus, a suitable OptionsType number (8-bits) 106 is used to identify the type of option (ie thespecification of the HAddr of the MN for a packet sent to a GPRS CN)followed by the Option Data Length 108 (which depends on the length ofthe HAddr) followed by the Option Data itself—ie the HAddr 110.

In this embodiment, the GGSN is IPv6 enabled and examines the Hop-by-Hopextension header of any received IPv6 packet having such a header. Notethat, the GGSN is an intermediate node and, according to the IPv6specification (RFC 2460), the GGSN must examine Hop-by-Hop extensionheader. Conversely, note that, according to the IPv6 specification (RFC2460), the GGSN must not examine any other IPv6 extension header sinceit is an intermediate node. Hence, the MIPv6 procedure whereby a MN maysend its HAddr in an IPv6 Home Address Destination Option extensionheader when sending a correspondent binding update will not assist insolving the problem identified since it will not be visible to the GGSN.

Furthermore, the GGSN is modified to attempt to map the HAddr of the MNidentified in a Hop-by-Hop extension header of a received IPv6 datapacket to the TFT packet filters stored for PDP contexts associated withthe IP address of the CN in the GPRS network, and, if a match is found,to transfer the data packets accordingly. The process followed by theGGSN is shown in FIG. 5. The process starts at step 120. At step 122,the GGSN receives a data packet for downlink to a particular IP addressof a CN in the GPRS network At step 124, the GGSN examines the aHop-by-Hop Options extension header of the received packet. At step 126,the GGSN checks the HAddr of the MN specified in the Hop-by-Hop Optionsextension header against the Source Address fields of TFTs of PDPcontexts associated with the IP address of the CN. If it is determined,at step 128, that a match exists, the process continues to step 130where the packet is transferred to the CN using the PDP contextcontaining the matching TFT. The process then continues to step 132 andends. However, if it is determined, at step 128, that no match exists,the process then continues to step 132 and ends.

The GGSN will also attempt to match the source address of the receiveddata packet to the Source Address fields of TFTs of PDP contextsassociated with the CN according to standard GGSN functionality. Thus,for example, using a combination of the standard and modified procedure,a data packet either having a source address matching the Source Addressattribute OR having an IP address specified in a Hop-by-Hop OptionsHeader matching the Source IP Address attribute—being the HAddr of theMN—will match at least those attributes of the TFT packet filter andwill be routed to the GTP tunnel corresponding to the appropriate PDPcontext.

When the data packet reaches the CN, it is recognised by the CN, despitehaving the CoA of the MN as its source address, because it has an IPv6Hop-by-Hop Options extension header specifying the HAddr. It may alsohave a Home Address Destination Option extension header specifying theHAddr which will also be visible to the CN.

Second Embodiment

According to the second embodiment, which is a variant of the firstembodiment described above, the MN only includes its HAddr in aHop-by-Hop Options extension header of the signalling IPv6 packet itsends to the CN for correspondent binding updates. Thus, as describedabove, the correspondent binding update will be able to reach the CN.Upon receiving the correspondent binding update, the CN will then knowthe CoA of the MN and will then be able to create or modify a PDPcontext so that the GGSN may route subsequent data packets sent from theMN at its CoA without need for the use of Hop-by-Hop Options extensionheaders. This occurs as follows:

The CN may modify the activated PDP context (used for a communicationsession with the MN) to include, in a TFT associated with the PDPcontext, the MN's CoA—ie an IPv4 or IPv6 address—using the MS-InitiatedPDP Context Modification Procedure, described in 3G TS 23.06 Clause9.2.3 and incorporated herein by reference. FIG. 6 shows the PDP contextmodification procedure. At step 60, the MN (not shown) performs the MIPcorrespondent binding update procedure with the CN 18 using a Hop-by-HopOptions extension header as described above in the first embodiment.Assuming this is successful, at step 62, the CN send a Modify PDPContext Request to its SGSN 14. The Modify PDP Context Request messagecontains an instruction to add or modify a TFT associated with the PDPcontext to include the MN's CoA. Note that the CN may optionally alsosend an instruction to modify the QoS profile in the Modify PDP ContextRequest message. At step 64, SGSN 14 sends an Update PDP Context Requestmessage to GGSN 12 including the instruction to add or modify the TFT asabove. GGSN 12 checks the instruction (for example to see if theattributes in the packet filter of the TFT form a valid combination) andif acceptable, stores or modifies the TFT for the PDP contextaccordingly. Then, at step 66, GGSN 12 sends an Update PDP ContextResponse message to SGSN 14 indicating success. At step 68, radio accessbearer modification may be performed (for example in a 3G GPRS networkin Iu mode where the QoS profile of the PDP context has changed). Atstep 70, SGSN 14 sends a Modify PDP Context Accept message to the CN toconfirm the successful modification of the PDP context (i.e. the TFT).

In one alternate version of the second embodiment, a modified TFT packetfilter is used in which the list of possible IPv4 or IPv6 packet headerattributes that may be included in packet filter is augmented asfollows:

-   -   Source Address and Subnet Mask.    -   Care Of Address.    -   Protocol Number (IPv4) or Next Header (IPv6).    -   Destination Port Range.    -   Source Port Range.    -   IPSec Security Parameter Index (SPI).    -   Type of Service (TOS) (IPv4) or Traffic class (IPv6) and Mask.    -   Flow Label (IPv6).        where the Care Of Address is the IPv4 or IPv6 address of the MN        in its FN.

Thus, for a PDP context, TFT packet filters stored at the CN, and GGSNmay include the CoA of the MN in a specially identified field. Thebehaviour of the Care Of Address attribute, in terms of the validity ofcombination with other attributes, is the same as the behaviour of theSource Address attribute (see 3G TS 23.060 Clause 15.3.2). However, aTFT may comprise a packet filter having either of the Source Address andCare Of Address attributes singly or both the Source Address and Care OfAddress attributes in combination. In the case in which both attributesare specified in a single TFT packet filter, they are treated as beingalternatives—ie they are combined using the logical operator OR. Thus, adata packet either having a source address matching the Source Addressattribute OR having a source address matching the Care Of Addressattribute will match at least those attributes of the TFT packet filter.The functionality of the GGSN is modified to perform matching ofincoming data packets for downlink to a MS using the modified TFT packetfilters. Note that the same effect is achieved by including two packetfilters in a TFT—one with the Source Address attribute defined and theother with the Care Of Address attribute defined.

The modified process followed by a GGSN according to this first versionof the second embodiment is shown in the flow diagram of FIG. 7. Theprocess starts at step 80. At step 82, the GGSN receives a data packetfor downlink to a particular CN having an IP address in the GPRSnetwork. At step 84, the GGSN checks the source address of the datapacket against the Source Address fields of TFTs of PDP contextsassociated with the IP address of the CN. If it is determined, at step86, that a match exists, the process continues to step 88 where thepacket is transferred to the CN using the PDP context containing thematching TFT. The process then continues to step 96 and ends. Thiscorresponds to the conventional operation of a GGSN. However, if it isdetermined, at step 86, that no match exists, the process continues tostep 90 where the GGSN checks the source address of the data packetagainst the augmented Care of Address fields of TFTs of PDP contextsassociated with the IP address of the CN. If it is determined, at step92, that a match exists, the process continues to step 94 where thepacket is transferred to the CN using the PDP context containing thematching TFT. The process then continues to step 96 and ends. However,if it is determined, at step 92, that no match exists, the process thencontinues to step 96 and ends. Note that failure to match the sourceaddress of the data packet to a TFT may result in the data packet beingdropped, or, alternatively, transferred to the CN using a PDP contextwith no associated TFT, if one exists.

Alternatively, in a second version of the second embodiment, thestandard TFT packet filter attributes are used, and the MS-Initiated PDPContext Modification Procedure described above with reference to FIG. 4is used to add a new or modify an existing TFT to add a new packetfilter including the MN's Care Of Address in the standard Source Addressattribute. This new packet filter would be in addition to any existingpacket filter for the TFT. Alternatively, the packet filter may replaceor modify an existing packet filter.

Thus, a PDP context activated for a communication session with a MN maybe modified to have an associated TFT with 1) one packet filter havingboth the MN's HAddr and CoA (using the augmented attribute list) oralternatively, 2) two packet filters—one having the MN's HAddr and theother the MN's CoA (using either the augmented or standard attributelist).

It will also be apparent that a PDP context may be activated togetherwith an associated TFT packet filter including the MN's CoA using theMS-Initiated PDP Context Activation Procedure, described in 3G TS 23.060Clause 9.2.2 incorporated herein by reference. Thus, a new PDP contextmay be activated for a communication session with the MN and, in theactivation procedure, a TFT may be associated with the PDP contexthaving either: 1) one packet filter having both the MN's HAddr and MN'sCoA (using the augmented attribute list) or, alternatively, 2) twopacket filters—one having the MN's HAddr and the other the MN's CoA(using either the augmented or standard attribute list).

In this way, after the initial correspondent binding update, packetssent by the MN while away from home may be filtered by the GGSN to theappropriate PDP context of the CN, without need for continued use ofHop-by-Hop Options extension headers and without the processingoverheads that such continued use entails.

In variants of the first and second embodiments, the MN is modified toselectively include its HAddr in an IPv6 Hop-by-Hop Options extensionheader of the user data packet or correspondent binding update packet itsends to the CN when it (the MN) is away from home. The inclusion isonly performed when the MN detects that the CN is being provided servicein a GPRS network. Thus, the processing overheads of a) the MN includinga Hop-by-Hop Options extension header in the tunnelled data packet, andb) the intermediate nodes on the route towards the GGSN examining theHop-by-Hop Options extension header are eliminated where they are notnecessary.

Third Embodiment

According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the MN mustalways include its HAddr when sending a correspondent binding update tothe CN, preferably using a MIP Home Address Destination Option(described in the MIPv6 IETF Draft at Clause 6.3, incorporated herein byreference). Also, a PDP context with no associated TFT is alwaysestablished in the GPRS network using the PDP Context ActivationProcedure (described in 3G TS 23.060 Clause 9.2.2, incorporated hereinby reference). On receipt of the correspondent binding update datapacket from the MN, the GGSN will attempt to match the packet to thosePDP contexts with associated TFTs in the normal way, but when this failsbecause the source address is the new CoA or CoCoA of the MN, the packetwill be routed to the CN using the PDP context with no associated TFT.When the CN receives the correspondent binding update, it examines theHome Address Destination Option Header, or other header, containing theHAddr of the MN which it recognises. The MN may then associate thepacket with the existing communication session with the MN. The CN maythen modify the existing PDP context, or create a new PDP context, toinclude the CoA of the MN as described above in relation to the secondembodiment.

In a variant of the third embodiment, the MN is modified to selectivelyinclude its HAddr in a Home Address Destination Option Header, or otherheader, of a correspondent binding update packet it sends to the CN whenit (the MN) is away from home. The inclusion is only performed when theMN detects that the CN is being provided service in a GPRS network.

Fourth Embodiment

According to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, where the MNis IPv6 capable, the MN is modified to include its HAddr, preferably inan IPv6 Destination Option extension header, for all IPv6 data packetsit sends to the CN whenever it is away from home. This applies tocorrespondent binding updates as well as user data packets. However,because an intermediate node will not in general be able to read thisinformation, the address of the GGSN in the GPRS network is provided asthe destination address of the IPv6 data packet, rather than the addressof the CN itself. It will shortly be described below how the MN may beprovided with the address of the GGSN if it doesn't already know it.Furthermore, the address of the CN is included in an IPv6 Routing HeaderType 0 extension header of the data packet. This Routing Header enablesan IPv6 packet to be routed through a plurality of nodes at variousaddresses starting off by being delivered to the destination address ofthe packet (in this case the GGSN) and then being forwarded in turn toeach node corresponding to a list of further routing addresses containedin the Routing Header (in this case the IP address of the CN).

FIG. 8A shows the structure of data packets sent by the MN. The basicIPv6 header 140 comes first. The existence of the IPv6 DestinationOption extension header 142 is indicated, according to standard IPv6(RFC 2460), in the Next Header field of the basic IPv6 header 140. Notethat the destination address in the basic IPv6 header 140 is the addressof the GGSN. The IPv6 Destination Option extension header 142 thenimmediately follows the basic IPv6 header 140. The existence of the IPv6Routing Header (Type 0) 144 is indicated, according to standard IPv6(RFC 2460), in the IPv6 Next Header field of the Destination Optionextension header 142. The Routing Header (Type 0) 144 then immediatelyfollows the Destination Option extension header 142. Finally, thepayload 146—ie the upper layer header such as TCP or UDP and thedata—follows the Routing Header (Type 0) 144.

FIG. 8B shows the structure of the IPv6 Destination Option extensionheader 142 itself. The format of this extension header is described inRFC 2460. The Next Header and Hdr Ext Len fields of the DestinationOption extension header 142 are omitted for clarity. The HAddr of the MNis included in a Type-Length-Value (TLV) encoded option in theDestination Option extension header 142. Thus, the Options Type number148 is used to identify the type of option followed by the Option DataLength 150 (which depends on the length of the address of the HAddr)followed by the Option Data itself—ie the HAddr 152.

FIG. 8C shows the structure of the Routing Header (Type 0) extensionheader 144 itself. The format of this extension header is described inthe RFC 2460. The Next Header and Hdr Ext Len fields of the RoutingHeader (Type 0) extension header 144 are omitted for clarity. TheRouting Type field 154 (ie 0 in this case) comes next, followed by theSegments Left field, which is initially set to 1 by the MN (this countsdown to 0 as the data packet is forwarded to from the GGSN to the CN).Then follows a reserved field (set to 0) and then the IP address of theCN itself.

In this embodiment, the GGSN is IPv6-enabled and examines theDestinations Option header of any received IPv6 packet having such aheader. Note that by providing the address of the GGSN as thedestination address, the correspondent binding update packet will firstbe delivered to the GGSN which will be a destination node (rather thanan intermediate node as in previous embodiments) and therefore able toread the Destinations Option header. Furthermore, the GGSN is modifiedto attempt to map the HAddr of the MN, identified in the DestinationsOption header, to the TFT packet filters stored for PDP contextsassociated with the address of the CN, which is included in the IPv6Routing Header Type 0 Option. If a match is found, the GGSN transfersthe data packets to the GTP tunnel associated with the appropriate PDPcontext of the address of the CN accordingly.

The process followed by the GGSN is shown in FIG. 9. The process startsat step 170. At step 172, the GGSN receives a data packet with an IPv6Routing Header Type 0 indicating that the packet is for downlink to aparticular CN having a IP address in the GPRS network. At step 174, theGGSN examines the Destinations Option extension header of the receivedpacket. At step 176, the GGSN checks the HAddr of the MN specified inthe Destinations Option extension header against the Source Addressfields of TFTs of PDP contexts associated with the IP address of the CN.If it is determined, at step 178, that a match exists, the processcontinues to step 180 where the packet is transferred to the CN usingthe PDP context containing the matching TFT. The process then continuesto step 182 and ends. However, if it is determined, at step 178, that nomatch exists, the process then continues to step 182 and ends.

The GGSN will also attempt to match the source address of the receiveddata packet to the Source Address fields of TFTs of PDP contextsassociated with the MN according to standard GGSN functionality. Thus, adata packet either having a source address matching the Source Addressattribute OR having an IP address specified in a Destinations OptionHeader matching the Source IP Address attribute—being the HAddr addressof the MN—will match at least those attributes of the TFT packet filterand will be routed to the GTP tunnel corresponding to the appropriatePDP context.

However, as indicated above, this procedure requires the MN to know orbe provided with the address of the GGSN in the GPRS network. This maybe achieved as follows. Preferably immediately after commencing acommunication session with the MN, but possibly later, the CN may send amessage or, preferably, instruct the GGSN itself to send a message tothe MN containing the address of the GGSN. The CN may instruct its GGSNto send such a packet using PDP Configuration Options which aredescribed in 3G TS 23.060 Clause 9.2.2, incorporated herein byreference. PDP Configuration Options contain optional PDP parametersthat the GGSN may transfer to a MS. The sending of these optional PDPparameters may be requested by the CN in the Activate PDP ContextRequest message for the communication session established with the MN.

Fifth Embodiment

According to a fifth embodiment, which is a variant of the fourthembodiment described above, the MN only follows the modified proceduredescribed in the fourth embodiment for correspondent binding updatepackets. Thus, the MN includes its HAddr, preferably in an IPDestination Option extension header, addresses the data packet to theGGSN, and includes the CN address in a Routing Header Type 0 Option onlyfor correspondent binding update packets. Thus, as described above, thecorrespondent binding update will be able to reach the CN. Uponreceiving the correspondent binding update, the CN will then know theCoA of the MN and will then be able to create or modify a PDP context sothat the GGSN may route subsequent data packets sent from the MN at itsCoA without need for the use of procedure described in the fourthembodiment. This occurs as described above in relation to the secondembodiment.

In variants of the fourth and fifth embodiments, the MN is modified toselectively use the procedures described in those embodiment only whenthe MN detects that the CN is being provided service in a GPRS network.

It will be appreciated that the embodiments described above may beimplemented using data associated with the data packets other the HAddrof the MN. Any data capable of uniquely identifying the MN to the CN orGGSN and known to the CN or GGSN prior to the MN being provided with aCoA or CoCoA (eg known from the communication session with the MN) willdo. Furthermore, it will be apparent that further data, may be includedin the Hop-by-Hop Options extension header or Destinations Optionextension header, and in the modified or newly created TFT to furtherspecify the MN to the CN or GGSN and to provide further filtering ofreceived data packets by the GGSN or CN.

It will be apparent that the present invention applies to networks otherthan GPRS networks. In general, it applies to any network in which agateway node may need to select one from a plurality of channels(whether PDP contexts or otherwise) for transferring downlink packetstowards a node, whether a user or network-side node.

The present invention also applies to the situations where gateway nodesneed to perform general packet filtering and/or firewall functions forprotection against unauthorised service/bearer access and/or serviceattacks.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments,it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changesin the form and details of the device or process illustrated may be madeby those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appendedclaims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

1. A method of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched datanetwork to select a first channel for transferring a data packet to adestination packet data protocol address of a correspondent nodeprovided service in the first network, wherein the gateway node isconfigured to select the first channel from a plurality of channels eachconfigured to transfer data packets to the destination packet dataprotocol address of the correspondent node, wherein the data packet hasbeen sent from a mobile node of a second packet-switched data networkexternal to the first network, wherein the mobile node has been in acommunication session with the correspondent node while provided servicein a third packet-switched data network different to the second network,wherein mobility of the mobile node between networks or subnetworks issupported using the Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) standards, the mobilenode having a home packet data protocol address (HAddr) in the thirdnetwork, the mobile node having moved to the second network and havingbeen provided with a current packet data protocol address (CoA, CoCoA)in the second network, the method comprising: a) the mobile node sendinga MIP correspondent binding update packet addressed to the correspondentnode, wherein the home packet data protocol address of the mobile nodeis associated with the MIP correspondent binding update packet; b) thegateway node receiving the correspondent binding update packet andtransferring it to the correspondent node using a second channel havingno associated data packet filters; c) the correspondent node matchingthe home packet data protocol address of the mobile node associated withthe correspondent binding update packet to the communication sessionwith the mobile node; and d) in response to the matching, thecorrespondent node arranging for the current packet data protocoladdress of the mobile node to be included in the first data packetfilter, wherein the first packet filter was created, prior to step d),so as to enable the gateway node to select the first channel fortransferring data packets sent by the mobile node while involved in thecommunication session, and, in step d), the first data packet filter ismodified to include the current packet data protocol address of themobile node.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data packetis an Internet Protocol version 6 (Ipv6) data packet and the HAddr ofthe mobile node is associated with the data packet by being included ina Hop-by-Hop extension header of the data packet.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the first network conforms to the GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS) standards and the plurality of channelscorrespond to a plurality of packet data protocol contexts in the firstnetwork.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the home packetdata protocol address of the mobile node is associated with thecorrespondent binding update data packet by being included in aDestination Option extension header of the correspondent binding updatedata packet.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the mobile nodeaddresses the data packet to a packet data protocol address of thegateway node, and wherein the destination packet data protocol addressof the correspondent node is associated with the data packet.
 6. Themethod according to claim 5, wherein the data packet is an InternetProtocol version 6 (Ipv6) data packet and the destination packet dataprotocol address of the correspondent node is associated with the datapacket sent to the gateway node by being included in a Routing HeaderType 0Option header of the data packet.
 7. The method according to claim1, wherein the current packet data protocol address of the mobile nodereplaces the home packet data protocol address in the first data packetfilter.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the current packetdata protocol address is added to the first data packet filter whichalso comprises the home packet data protocol address of the mobile node.9. A method of enabling a gateway node of a first packet-switched datanetwork to select a first channel for transferring a data packet to adestination packet data protocol address of a correspondent nodeprovided service in the first network, wherein the gateway node isconfigured to select the first channel from a plurality of channels eachconfigured to transfer data packets to the destination packet dataprotocol address of the correspondent node, wherein the data packet hasbeen sent from a mobile node of a second packet-switched data networkexternal to the first network, wherein the mobile node has been in acommunication session with the correspondent node while provided servicein a third packet-switched data network different to the second network,wherein mobility of the mobile node between networks or subnetworks issupported using the Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) standards, the mobilenode having a home packet data protocol address (HAddr) in the thirdnetwork, the mobile node having moved to the second network and havingbeen provided with a current packet data protocol address (CoA, CoCoA)in the second network, the method comprising: a) the mobile node sendinga MIP correspondent binding update packet addressed to the correspondentnode, wherein the home packet data protocol address of the mobile nodeis associated with the MIP correspondent binding update packet; b) thegateway node receiving the correspondent binding update packet andtransferring it to the correspondent node using a second channel havingno associated data packet filters; c) the correspondent node matchingthe home packet data protocol address of the mobile node associated withthe correspondent binding update packet to the communication sessionwith the mobile node; and d) in response to the matching, thecorrespondent node arranging for the current packet data protocoladdress of the mobile node to be included in the first data packetfilter, wherein the first packet filter is newly created in step d). 10.The method according to claim 9, wherein the first network conforms tothe General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) standards and the plurality ofchannels cprrespond to a plurality of packet data protocol contexts inthe first network.
 11. A correspondent node of a first packet-switcheddata network arranged to select a first channel for transferring a datapacket to a destination packet data protocol address of a correspondentnode provided service in the first network, from a plurality of channelseach configured to transfer data packets to the destination packet dataprotocol address of the correspondent node, wherein the data packet hasbeen sent from a mobile node of a second packet-switched data networkexternal to the first network, wherein the mobile node has been in acommunication session with the correspondent node while provided servicein a third packet-switched data network different to the second network,wherein mobility of the mobile node between networks or subnetworks issupported using the Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) standards, the mobilenode having a home packet data protocol address (HAddr) in the thirdnetwork, wherein the mobile node has moved to the second network and hasbeen provided with a current packet data protocol address (CoA, CoCoA)in the second network, wherein: a) the correspondent node receives a MIPcorrespondent binding update packet transferred from the gateway nodethrough a second channel having no associated data packet filters, theMIP correspondent binding update packet having the home packet dataprotocol address of the mobile node associated with it; b) thecorrespondent node matches the home packet data protocol address of themobile node associated with the correspondent binding update packet tothe communication session with the mobile node; and c) in response tothe matching, the correspondent node arranged for the current packetdata protocol address of the mobile node to be included in the firstdata packet filter, wherein the first packet filter was created toenable the gateway node to select the first channel for transferringdata packets sent by the mobile node while involved in the communicationsession, and the first data packet filter is modified to include thecurrent packet data protocol address of the mobile node.
 12. Thecorrespondent node according to claim 11, wherein the home packet dataprotocol address of the mobile node is associated with the correspondentbinding update data packet by being included in a Destination Optionextension header of the correspondent binding update data packet. 13.The correspondent node according to claim 11, wherein the current packetdata protocol address of the mobile node replaces the home packet dataprotocol address in the first data packet filter.
 14. The correspondentnode according to claim 11, wherein the current packet data protocoladdress is added to the first data packet filter which also comprisesthe home packet data protocol address of the mobile node.
 15. Acorrespondent node of a first packet-switched data network arranged toselect a first channel for transferring a data packet to a destinationpacket data protocol address of a correspondent node provided service inthe first network, from a plurality of channels each configured totransfer data packets to the destination packet data protocol address ofthe correspondent node, wherein the data packet has been sent from amobile node of a second packet-switched data network external to thefirst network, wherein the mobile node has been in a communicationsession with the correspondent node while provided service in a thirdpacket-switched data network different to the second network, whereinmobility of the mobile node between networks or subnetworks is supportedusing the Mobile Internet Protocol (MIP) standards, the mobile nodehaving a home packet data protocol address (HAddr) in the third network,wherein the mobile node has moved to the second network and has beenprovided with a current packet data protocol address (CoA, CoCoA) in thesecond network, wherein: a) the correspondent node receives a MIPcorrespondent binding update packet transferred from the gateway nodethrough a second channel having no associated data packet filters, theMIP correspondent binding update packet having the home packet dataprotocol address of the mobile node associated with it; b) thecorrespondent node matches the home packet data protocol address of themobile node associated with the correspondent binding update packet tothe communication session with the mobile node; and c) in response tothe matching, the correspondent node arranged for the current packetdata protocol address of the mobile node to be included in the firstdata packet filter, wherein the first packet filter is newly created.16. The correspondent node according to claim 15, wherein the firstnetwork conforms to the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) standardsand the plurality of channels correspond to a plurality of packet dataprotocol contexts in the first network.